Driving Travel Tips for Navigating the Los Angeles Roadways

Most people would have researched how to get from point A to Point B on their own if they have a trip coming up in Los Angeles. While the city offers a transportation system, it is not as efficient or effective as it is in other cities like San Francisco or New York.

Navigating the LA Roadway System - 93994
Image created by Market Business News using Wikipedia photos.

On the flip side, you would have even heard a few horror stories about the traffic in Los Angeles. To avoid this, you can take some precautions to avoid typical LA road issues. This article has a few travel tips that you can take into account for easy navigation on your trip to Los Angeles:

Pay Attention to The Traffic News

It would be best if you stayed abreast of Los Angeles traffic news before you begin your journey. You can do so by listening to the radio and get live traffic news. By doing so, you can learn about the roads you need to avoid before you head to your destination. For instance, a few areas tend to be smooth sailing on some days, while some tend to cause a headache if there is a movie shoot happening. If you didn’t plan anything, you will more than likely suffer.

You should also consider paying attention to LED road signs along the way. These signs give you a warning about the potential issues you could bump into on your trip.

Think About the Pedestrians

This might be one of the most obvious tips, but you must know that LA is loaded with walkers, especially in the neighborhoods. California drivers always need to be careful about pedestrians on the road as they walk and skate across the street without caring about the vehicles.

Los Angeles car accidents involving pedestrians account for high percentage of total accidents. Therefore you need to keep your eyes on the road.

Stay Away From 405 During Rush Hour

Los Angeles is known to have some of the worst routes in the United States. One thing you surely should do is stay away from 405 in general. The morning’s rush hours are from 7 am to 10 am and in the evening it is from 4 pm to 7 pm.

It is usually best to avoid 405 throughout the day because of the gridlock. If you are traveling in the afternoon, avoid this route between 3 pm and 4 pm. This hour is called the mini rush hour as people are on their way to pick up their kids from school. You will save time by taking a slightly longer alternate route.

Consider Using the Public Transit-Car Combo

There are a few situations where you should forego a private vehicle and use public transportation instead. This is accurate especially in areas where there are lots of tourists. For example, Sunset Boulevard is one place where you should avoid taking your car. You will find it difficult to park your vehicle and you may end up spending most of your time looking for a safe spot.

Stay Updated About the Events

Some of the events tend to make LA roads even more unbearable and you must know about them even before sitting in the car. Unless you are attending the Oscars or a sporting event, you must rethink your driving plans on such days and reschedule them.

If you follow the above tips, you surely will have a smooth and relaxing journey in Los Angeles. Make the most of this beautiful city and don’t let bad roads and traffic hamper your experience.


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